Air-cooled refrigerator



C. T. ADAIR.

AIR COOLED REFRIGERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-20.1918.

Patented J une 3, 1919.

[IV I/E/V TOR NORRIS co.. Paurwuma, wnsmucrou. a. c.

FFIQE.

' CHARLES 'I. ADAIR, OF TECUMGARL'NEW MEXICO.

.AIR-COOLED REFRIGERATOR.

To all whom it may concern I Be it known that I, CHARLES T. ADAIR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tecumcari, in the county of Quay and State of New Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air-Co0led Refrigerators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to cooling apparatus and refrigerators, and in particular it appertains to an air cooling refrigerator of the evaporator type.

A purpose of the invention is to design and render practical an adequate system of evaporating water under a slight air pressure draft introduced into the refrigerator casing, and to provide an effective and capable refrigerator for domestic and other uses which will not require 'ice for lowering the temperature in the refrigerator.

Another purpose of the present'invention is to provide a system of water absorption wicks in combination with a mechanically driven fan for settlng up a certain degree of evaporation which will effectively absorb the heat found within the refrigerator, and create a cool zone within the portion of the refrigerator casing set aside to contain the cooling system.

A still further purpose of the invention is to combine with the aforesaid purposes a removable form of skeleton like frame which carries the essential absorption wicks and other parts comprising the refrigerator. This frame is arranged as a unit and may be easily removed without taking it apart. In this manner it can be constructed separately and may be inserted in any form of casing adapted to receive it. In this man ner it will be practical to convert some forms of ice refrigerators to my form of air cooled refrigerator.

With the above and other purposes in view the invention relates to a certain combination and arrangement of parts, an example of which is described in the following specification, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: V

Figure 1 illustrates a vertical sectional view of my form of air cooled refrigerator.

Fig. 2 illustrates a vertical sectional view taken on a plane transversely to the plane section of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the refrigerator in another sectional view, the section being taken hori Specification of Letters Patent.

sorption means.

ratented June 3, 19a 9.

' Application filed September 20, 1918. Serial No. 254,980.

zontally through the lower portion of the refrigerator containing the air cooling and evaporating means.

Referring now more in particular to the drawings, wherein the same parts throughout are designated by the same reference characters, the numerals 1 and 2 point out the front and rear wall respectively. A door 3- is provided for entrance to the casing. A top door 4 is fitted and adapted to be used in removing and replacing the insert unit carrying the cooling system. Side walls 5 are indicated, and the casing in its entirety may be constructed along the scientific approved lines of refrigerator construction, such as insulated walls, or double walls, or other forms which will insulate the interior from the effect of heat from the outside. The refrigerator casing may be a usual type ice refrigerator with the interior removed and made adaptable to receive the air cooling equipment comprising my invention. In this way any home which finds ice inconvenient and expensive may convert their refrigerator into an air cooled home utility.

Taking up the description of the cooling apparatus which is the subject ofthis invention, there is placed in the lower portion or disposed on the floor of the casing the water containing vessel 6. A set of four vertical supports 7 are provided and braced and held in rigid relation with each other by the horizontal members 8, there being arranged these parts 8 at the top and bottom of the supports.

This structure is set in the containing vessel 6, and forms a skeleton frame for maintaining the system of wicking and water ab- A number of shelves 9 are fitted into the frame and form a part of the insert unit. These shelves will be preferably made of perforated material or stiff wire fabric properly reinforced so as to strengthen it sufficiently to maintaln the load which it will support. In this instance I have shown the shelves-t0 be made of wire iio through the door 3; This main cooling wick will, through capillary attraction, conduct the moisture from the water pan. or vessel. upwardly to the top of the refrigerator. The top and bottom of the insert/"is not covered by the wick. The top shelf is therefore accessible through the top door. The wick may be secured totheframe by spring. clips 11, or other means. This willfper mit the wickto beremoved for washing and sanitation. v

A water cooler or containing vessel for drinking water may, if desired, be, installed in. the frame-insert. at any convenient; place and. a faucet or valveto; draw. off 'the water asneeded may be eonnected'therewith and conveniently placed outside. so. that, cool water may always, be on tap.

A refrigerating wick 12, isv arranged in folds in the, lower portion of the casing. This wick is centrally supportedunderneath thebottom shelf by a pair of rod supports 13; The wick, is drawn andmaintained in a tautcolidition by beingpassed over; an.- other, rod. let,which-holds it in, the water pan. and immersed-I inthe water contained therein. The, wicl'r; is further ledj over another pair of supports 15 and then downwardly. where the endsv ar attached-J0 th frame by clips or, other removable means; It is seen-,that the Wick, has a number; Of, con tactswith the water pan and'Will; rapidly take up the moisture Inaintaining itself in a continual, maximum saturated condition.

.A fan l6is, provided and hous d in a casing. fixed; upon one side ofthe. refrigeratOr. casing, This will be a spring or le r al y i ni an ndlwillb prov de with a starting button. accessibl'y located. T an e l ingis ntr duced. hr ghan pen ng in 1 h a ing. an pos io e x ally inv line'with the lower shelf and horizontal portions of the refrigeration wick. This divides the coolingdraft and passes same above and beneath the wick.

The air pressure draft directed'over the refrigerating wick and beneath thereof sets up a continual evaporation of' the water contained in the said Wicks and thus lowers the temperature within the refrigerator. Considerable area of fabric wicking is presented to the draft by the arrangementof theseveral folds which dip into the water pan. The air pressure exerted against the damp,- ened fabric wicks penetrates said wicks and passes through the weave of same andjup wardly through the refrigerator. 1 The outer Gopiesofthis patent may be obtained for'fi ve cents each, by addressing: the

' Washington; D. 02"

lining of fabric wicking come within the influence of the upwardly turned air draft and gives upa certain quantity of moisture and thus creates a cool zone adjacent the casing;

This form of refrigerator is most economical in maintenance and will be ffoundpractical and, useful. toa. high degree on the farm and in general domestic use.

The invention is presented to include all such, modificationsand changesv in design or form. as .may befound. to come ithin the following claims Claims;

1. In. an air cooled refrigerator the combination with av refrigerator. casing, of a skeleton frame insert comprising support legs. Spaeed; apart. by horizontal struts and sh'elves' bui'lt into: the. framethe whole of saidfiiame non attached to the casing and removable therefrom, a Water vessel anranged V to hold the frame, a sheet of fabric wicking. wrapped; about theframe. and dipped; into the vesseh} and air; pressure meenslsupplied to; evaporate the water from the wick to. lower, thektemp irag lre Within thecasing. i v

2., In an air, cooled. refrigerator, of the evaporator. type, the combination. with .a casing,, .of"a. skeleton frame insert comprising, support members fitted with shelves and hal ing the lower and upper ends formed Open; and. said frame removable from the casing, a, refrigerating wick arranged in fOldSf in. the,' lower portion of'thefinsert frame, a :water. vessel: disposediin the lower portiQIi Ofjthe casingandadapted'io receive the frame, and'means for creating. air p essure draft. hin... and. agai s he sye nqfg e ing 3.3.". An. ai coelidT r frigerator, ompris ng av easing, v a skeleton .-frame insert removable from said casing, wicking extending the lengthofthe frame insert,;a water pan in hebott m. of. he singjand" ec i i g h lower edge off the; wicking a I plurality of gauge, shelves provided, av single wick. arranged" beneaththe lowermost shelf with outer panel's of' wicking disposed'at an angle andfwith' inner panels disposed at .an angle, anda fan arranged'to project an air stream on thejpanels, and the lower edge offeach paneldipping into the water pan.

' n stihiq y, hereoflii ier unt a i y gnature 'eHAs; r. ADAIR;

Commissioner =of- Patents, 

